2018-2019 Pulsar Awards Recap

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The City Pulse hosted its 15th annual Pulsar Awards at UrbanBeat in Old Town July 22. The ceremony acknowledged some of the best productions staged in the Greater Lansing community theater scene. Below are highlights from the award show, including musical performances and acceptance speeches. 

Left to right: Phineas Reed, Amanda DeKatch, Isabella Edmonds-Hogan, Chad Swan-Badgero, Erin Hoffman, Melissa Kaplan, Chad DeKatch, Susan Chmurynsky, Taylor Rupp, Garrett Bradley, Sally Hecksel, Stephanie Banghart, Lori Bailey-Smith and Brian DeVries at the 2019 Pulsars.
Left to right: Phineas Reed, Amanda DeKatch, Isabella Edmonds-Hogan, Chad Swan-Badgero, Erin Hoffman, Melissa Kaplan, Chad DeKatch, Susan Chmurynsky, …

The evening kicked-off with medleys arranged by Kelley Stuible-Clark and her friends Ben English,  Josh and Nicole Martin and Kait Wilson on piano. They opened the show with "Thank You for the Music" from the Broadway musical "Mamma Mia!" 

(Left) Laura Croff and Lori Bailey-Smith
(Left) Laura Croff and Lori Bailey-Smith
Laura Croff bestowed Riverwalk Theatre's Lori Bailey-Smith for her award for Best Hair and Costume Design in "Hairspray."

Later in the evening, Erin Hoffman introduced Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Accepting the award on behalf of winner Alissa Britten was Stephanie Banghart, who played Rose alongside Britten in the Owosso Community Player’s staging of "Mamma Mia!"

Stephanie Banghart accepted the award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her castmate Alissa Britten in "Mamma Mia!"
Stephanie Banghart accepted the award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her castmate Alissa Britten in "Mamma Mia!"

Longtime Pulsar judges Tom and Kathy Helma presented the awards for Best Supporting Actress and Actor in a Musical. 

Erin Hoffman won Best Supporting Actress in a Play for her performance in Riverwalk Theatre's "These Shining Lives."
Erin Hoffman won Best Supporting Actress in a Play for her performance in Riverwalk Theatre's "These Shining Lives."

Next up, Chad DeKatch accepted Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his memorable portrayal in "Mamma Mia!"

Chad DeKatch won Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance in Owosso Community Player's "Mamma Mia!"
Chad DeKatch won Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance in Owosso Community Player's "Mamma Mia!"

Sally Hecksel presented Taylor Rupp with Best Lead Actress in a  Play for her performance in "These Shining Lives." Not long after, Hecksel was back on stage to accept the award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical. Listen to their acceptance speeches below. 

Taylor Rupp won Best Lead Actress in a Play
Taylor Rupp won Best Lead Actress in a Play

Sally Hecksel won Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her memorable portrayal in "Wild Party."
Sally Hecksel won Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her memorable portrayal in "Wild Party."

Melissa Kaplan, Lansing Community Theater's producer, accepted the award for Best Ensemble. 

Melissa Kaplan, Lansing Community Theatre's producer, accepted the award for Best Ensemble for LCC's "Student Body."
Melissa Kaplan, Lansing Community Theatre's producer, accepted the award for Best Ensemble for LCC's "Student Body."

Garrett Bradley, the director of Owosso's "Mamma Mia!" gave Susan Chmurynsky the award for Best Play. 

Director Susan Chmurynsky accepted the award for Best Play
Director Susan Chmurynsky accepted the award for Best Play

The last presenter of the evening was  Shannon Bowen. She presented the awards for Best Director for a Musical and Best Musical. Both awards went to Garrett Bradley for "Mamma Mia!"

Garrett Bradley led the Owosso Community Player's to victory with his direction in "Mamma Mia!"
Garrett Bradley led the Owosso Community Player's to victory with his direction in "Mamma Mia!"

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